Now to Forever Quotes

“I learned to cut with my words from watching my parents fight. It was their go-to. One did something the other didn’t like, and they used their tongue like a knife, stabbing the other one into hurt submission.” I pause, thinking of those loud nights in that little trailer. “It was always a bloodbath even without a single mark of the skin.”
― Ashley Manley, Now to Forever

“Life is filled with tragedy, Scotty. People leave, people die. We feel hurt deeper than we imagine possible. Deeper than we think our bodies can bear. It’s on us to decide how we respond, for better or worse.”
― Ashley Manley, Now to Forever

“Fine is the word used to make everyone else more comfortable. It means falling apart but hiding it.”
― Ashley Manley, Now to Forever

“She grins. “Just like that, honey. That’s how life works. We die a million times to get to who we’re supposed to be. I’m not who I was—that woman is long gone. She picked a bad man and chose a bad way to get out. She was desperate. And I told Dondi everything. I’m never going to shrink down for someone else again—the good or bad parts. Hide them or pretend they aren’t there, even if they make me feel ugly.” She looks at me, emotion filling her eyes as her voice cracks. “You know what he says when he introduces me to his friends? He says, ‘This is my girlfriend Wanda, she’s the bravest woman I’ve ever known.’” Tears line her spider-legged lashes.”
― Ashley Manley, Now to Forever